Beware Gastric Bypass with stapeling!

Geeg · Nov 25, 2003

I am surpised that more people don't die intraop or postop. The survival stats are probably "doctored!"

JockRN · Nov 26, 2003

Two replies:

Frances,

As I said previously, COPD in and of itself is not a "disqualifier" for surgical weight loss surgery (SWL surgery). Of course the degree of pulmonary compromise must be taken into consideration. In SWL procedures a multidisciplinary approach is important. The surgeon must consult with all specialists that might be involved. If you're interested, look at the web sites I mentioned and go from there.

Geeg,

As with any medical or surgical procedure there is a degree of risk with SWL surgery. At present the mortality, nation-wide, is about 1-2%. I think this is acceptable considering the co-morbitities of these patients. The results post-op in terms of life style changes and health improvement are incredible. I don't believe that any results are "doctored" as you put it. If you still have this belief, look at some of the web sites I posted earlier and become EDUCATED.

Jock

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Nov 26, 2003

Hello Jock,

I also have two replies.

As I said earlier, thank you for all of the valuable information you gave me. I wrote it all down yesterday.

Concerning the word, "docs" That was the slang word I use for physicians. I apologize for misleading you. And yes, I also agree that the mortality rate for the surgery is well within the safe limits.

All of the local physicians, including my PCP, A Neurologist, and a pain specialist all refused to perform surgery on me because they said it's too risky. I was on the ventilator for about two weeks once and about a week the second time due to respiratory failure.

All of the physicians said the same thing.

"I don't dare to give you general anesthesia, because the respiratory center in your brain may shut down for good, and I won't be able to get you back."

I sought help from a pain specialist for an implanted pump for severe pain control, and I sought relief through a laminectomy from a Neurologist for the severe arthritis with spinal cord compression.

I hope this clears everything up for you.

Fran

yves · Jan 8, 2004

on the positive note of gastric bypass

I had my surgury 1994 weighiing in close to 500 pounds. This surgury has changed my life. I am more confidant with my job. I am remarried to a wonderful attentive husband. I race cars, travel, teach at support groups at gastric bypass and work in some of the ICUs in the country.

I do have to be careful with supplementation and taking care of myself. But overall I am doing great! If i stayed the previoous weight i could be bedridden or dead by now.

K O'Malley · Jan 8, 2004

There is something seriously wrong with our society and our habits that so many people are to the point of needing risky surgery for weight control. From what I saw on the news, this surgery is now being offered to teenagers. Back in the bad old days when we ate eggs, bacon, real butter, whole milk, etc, obese people were a rarity. What in the world has gone wrong?

yves · Jan 8, 2004

on the positive note of gastric bypass

I had my surgury 1994 weighiing in close to 500 pounds. This surgury has changed my life. I am more confidant with my job. I am remarried to a wonderful attentive husband. I race cars, travel, teach at support groups at gastric bypass

I do have to be careful with supplementation . But overall I am doing great! If i stayed the previoous weight i could be bedridden or dead by now.

Todd SPN · Jan 8, 2004

Originally posted by K O'Malley
There is something seriously wrong with our society and our habits that so many people are to the point of needing risky surgery for weight control. What in the world has gone wrong?

For many, I would say diet and activity. Thirty-five years ago we didn't have a McD on every corner nor so many sit down jobs doing work on computers. Back then I doubt Sears sold treadmills much less have a display of several in the store.

Since my original post on this subject, I have been exposed to a res at work who is on her fourth month of tube feedings after a botched surgery. The sepsis almost killed her. But even after seeing this, a nurse I work with who eats fast food everyday is considering the surgery. Even though she admits to losing 40lbs last time she ate properly. I imagine you have to be in their shoes to understand it totally.

Fgr8Out · Jan 8, 2004

Gastric bypass surgery, (lap or open) is "generally" done for individuals who meet a specific criteria... high BMI, co-morbidities, etc. For the majority of these people, their life expectancy is LOW... and a recent report I read stated that for many, death from their co-morbidities was a greater risk than from the surgery. It IS a "last resort" for those who have tried and failed to get a handle on their weight issues. It is NOT a "cosmetic surgery" for the vain and glamorous but rather an attempt to increase a person's longevity.

As I read through a variety of the replies in this post, I was disgusted that Nurses would continue to toss about phrases such as "why don't they just exercise more" or similar accusatory comments. Why Nursing feels the need to exercise such inflammatory judgement is so far beyond me....

Just a reminder.... Until you've walked a mile in another person's shoes.... and "there but for the Grace of God, go I".

My prayers to those who feel they have no choice but to turn to surgery to save their life. And may the surgery procedure improve in it's safety as more surgeons work to perfect this skill.

Peace

RainbowSkye · Jan 9, 2004

I only know three people who have had bypass surgery; two are dead and one is living with a porta-cath (and heart disease, diabetes, falling out teeth, liver disease - all that she did not have before surgery).

That being said, I certainly understand why someone would want to do it. I know; I've struggled with my weight most of my adult life. I did Weight Watchers in high school and nearly killed myself with that protein sparing diet in the '70s.

I have a several thoughts about weight loss surgery. It's interesting to me that insurance companies (some of them anyway) will pay for gastric bypass and the follow-up care, but not pay for nutrition and exercise counseling (and I'm talking long term here). It's also interesting to me that physicians can kill and injure fat folks with surgery and pills, but would never consider doing that to another class of patients when there were other safer remedies available (well, most docs them anyway).

My second thought is that everything I've seen on weight loss surg has exphasized the need for potion control and exercise after the surgery. So if this is necessary, why not set up a program without the surgery?

And lastly, if we eat for reasons other than hunger, how is that fixed by weight loss surgery? I understand some people turn to drugs and alcohol while others eat anyway and live with the misery. Yes, psychological counseling helps, but, again, why not do that without the surgery?

I still struggle with my weight. I eat healthfully and walk daily. My blood pressure and glucose are wnl. I look like a normal person. And I'm willing to take it day by day.

Thanks for listening.

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Jan 9, 2004

Isn't it a shame though, that when we gain brown fat cells that remain in our bodies, and once we deny them their wants, they wreak havoc with us by cravings. Then when we regain the weight we originally lost, in addition to many more fat cells we create by gaining even more weight. UGH!

Why can't they be like other cells that leave the body? :rolleyes:

mother/babyRN, RN · Jan 9, 2004

Interesting topic and viewpoints.....Why have plastic surgery? Thats risky and to no real benefit often....Hmmm..Whenever the situation is related to weight one is taking "the easy way out". Doesn't sound like such an easy way...Life is different....Pace is different..When I was a kid we were outside playing and exercizing from sun up almost, to sundown when we came in...We didn't snack and we didn't have the money or access to fast food...We also weren't so scheduled and busy or, if busy, a different pace...That said, I have known 7 nurses who have had various forms of the surgery and the only one who had some difficulty was the only one who was non compliant and somehow passed the so called psychological profile...The other ones are blissfully happy, without complications, looking great and feeling fine...I think if it is truly something you have attempted in good faith to rectify, and have failed or been unsuccessful at numerous attempts at exercise and weight loss and are not merely a few or just a bit more than a few pounds overweight , and this is available and accessible, you should go for it if the criteria is met and the research is done...To me it is akin to comparing diabetic complications to the actual onset of same....Millions of diabetics care correctly for themselves and many do not develop the depth of complications so routinely discussed when the subject of that health malady comes up...In labor and delivery people somehow or for some reason feel compelled to relive the situation and tell their horrible birth experiences, which makes people either forget or just not realize that so many more experiences are favorable and good...Human nature focuses on the negative before the positive.....Side effects and bad stuff happens, but if an adult is of age ( and I do have concerns about teenagers), responsible and approaches the situation with a background of research and motivation, I see no harm.....Go for it...I have considered it myself and may still look into it if and when I consider myself emotionally open to doing so pending results of a more conventional plan....

perkines212 · Jan 10, 2004

Originally posted by K O'Malley
There is something seriously wrong with our society and our habits that so many people are to the point of needing risky surgery for weight control. From what I saw on the news, this surgery is now being offered to teenagers. Back in the bad old days when we ate eggs, bacon, real butter, whole milk, etc, obese people were a rarity. What in the world has gone wrong?

Back in the bad old days we were moving more. Not flipping through 200 tv channels and cruising the world wide web. We had to open a door ourselves instead of having an electronic eye see movement and open it for us. Shoot I admit I use the elevator to go up one flight of stairs.